Road scraper and smoother.



G. E. TUCKER.

ROAD SGRAPER AND SMOOTHBR.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2.1, 1912.

1,092,676, Patented Apr. '7, 1914;

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a Y W/NESSES i -O I'! r m0 wf/vrai? j O o George E. Tuckezf Arron/vers G. E. TUCKER. ROAD soEAPBR-A'ND sMooTHER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1912.

Patented Apr. 7, 1914.

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ROAD SGRAPER AND SMOOTHER.

APPLIUATION FILED 110121, 1912.

1,092,676. Patented Apr. 7, 1914.

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G eso/*7e E. Tuc /fe fl er 1/ COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPII CO., WASHINGTON. D. C.

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GEORGE E. TUCKER, OF SPBINGWA'IER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO EBENEZER ROBINSON, 0F SPR-INGWATER, NEW YORK.

ROAD SCRAPER AND SMOOTHER.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoner. E. Toonen, a. citizen of the United States, and a resident of Springwater, in the county of Livingston and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Road Scraper and Smoother, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in road smoothing machines, and particularly to machines for smoothing and equalizing the surface, and has for an object to provide an improved structure which may be variously adjusted for causing the smoothing or scraping members to act all together or successively and at any desired angle to the direction of travel of the device so that the road may be operated in substantially any desirable way according to the particular circumstances.

Another object of the invention is to provide a smoother formed so that the wheels may be set at an angle for moving diagonally across a road, while the draft is substantially longitudinally of the road.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a scraper which may be moved diagonally across the road while the grading Scrapers or members may be set at right angles to the general direction of the road, or at any other desired angle for causing a direct scraping or a substantially shearing action.

In carrying out the objects of the inven-l tion, a rigidly constructed framework is provided, on which front and rear axles are mounted designed to be turned to any desired position and locked in such position so as to cause the frame to move directly forward or at a diagonal angle nothwithstanding the forward strain of the draft appliance. Piv otally connected to the framework is a plurality of Scrapers which may be locked at any desired angle with respect to the rigid framework so as to give a direct scraping action or a substantially shearing action, as desired. These scrapers are arranged to normally extend transversely of the rigid frame and are spaced an appreciable distance apart so that when the rigid frame is raised at one end the scrapers will successively engage the high points in the road and thus allow each scraping member to perform its function without straining any of the individual Scrapers.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 21, 1912.

Patented Apr. 7, 1914..

Serial No. 732,687.

i A practical embodiment of the invention 1s represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of'this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in all the views.

Figure. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a view partially in side elevation and partially in section, the sections being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 .is a front view of the smoother shown in Fig. 1; Fig. i is a diagrammatic view of the smoother showing the same set so as to move in a diagonal direction with the scrapers set in the same manner; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l except that the scrapers are at right angles to the frame; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the frame of the smoother shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of one of the turntables em bodying certain features of the invention, with a fragment of one of the cross bars shown in connection therewith; and Fig. 8 is a section through Fig. 1 approximately on the line 8-8, the same being shown on a slightly enlarged scale.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 indicates' a rigid frame formed `of a 4pair of anglebars 2 and 3, and a central bar 4l having turned up edges 5 and 6 for stiffening and bracing the bar. The end members 7 and 8, and also the central bar l are provided with apertures 11 and 12 for receiving king `bolts 13 and 15 (Fig. l) so as to connect the frame and the associated mechanism which may be termed the running gear. This running gear is made in duplicate, one portion being associated with the front of the frame 1 and the other portion with the rear. As these running gear constructions are identical, a description of the front running gear will apply equally to the rear running gear. This running gear structure is formed with a ring 16 rigidly secured to a cross bar 17 turned up at 18 and 19 for stiffening purposes. The ends of the cross bar 17 are turned up in the form of brackets 20 and 21, each of these brackets being provided with a rack 22 designed to engage a catch 23 mounted on a pivotally mounted lever 24 and operated by a pivotally mounted handle 25 through rod 26 which is secured to the catch 23. Rigidly secured to the lever 24 are arms 27 and 28 (Fig, 3) which extend over to a point adjacent the turned up portions 20 and 21 and are mounted at 29 and 30 to the turned up ears 20 and 21. In order to provide a better action for the arms 27 and 28, auxiliary arms 27 and 28 are provided which together with the ends of the arms 27 and 28 form a forked or bifurcated portion straddling the turned up ears 20 and 21. Pivotally connected with the auxiliary arms 27 and 28 are links 31 and 32 which are pivotally connected withI the U- shaped axle 33 on which the wheels 34 and 35 are mounted. The axle 32 passes through suitable slots 36 in the ears 2O and 21 so as to guide the axle 33 in its movement. The vertical portions 37 and 38 of axle 33 extend through apertures 39 and 40 (Figs. 3 and 7 in the extensions 41 and 42 formed integral with the ring 16 whereby the axle is guided in its up and down movement, or rather whereby the ears 20 and 21 and associated parts are guided in their up and down movement. In connection with the rings 16, it will be noticed that the same is provided with a central cross bracing member 43 which is riveted, bolted, or otherwise rigidly secured to the cross bar 17 so as to turn therewith. Any desired number of apertures 44 is provided in the ring 16 for receiving bolts 45 and 46, these bolts being designed to have the draft animals or draft devices connected therewith through a suitable tongue 46.

In order to cause the front and rear wheels to act together and cause the axles thereof to remain parallel during the smoothing operation, a pair of connecting rods or bars 47 and 48 are provided which are formed with turned down ends, as shown in Fig. 8, so as to project through bars 17 and ring 16. The tongue 46 is provided with a bifurcated end through which the pins 45 and 46 proj ect for connecting the same with ring 16 so that the draft animals or other draft power may move the machine in any direction desired. When it is desired to turn the device around the rods 47 and 48 are crossed, as shown in Fig. 5. This will allow a very short turning of the device notwithstanding the fact that the same 1s comparatively long. When it is desired to move diagonally across a road, the bars 47 and 48 are arranged as shown in Fig. 4, and the machine will move in a diagonal direction notwithstanding the strain of the scrapers or smoothing members. Also by reason of the arrangement of the wheels the device will not skid when moving in a diagonal direction or when moving straight to the front even though the scrapers or smoothers are set at an angle to the direction of travel,

Connected with the frame 1 pivotally are a plurality of Scrapers 49, 50, and 51, the scrapers 49 and 51 being preferably made smooth or straight along their lower edge, while the scraper 50 is provided with teeth.

If desired, the scraper 50 could be substituted for the scraper 49 so as to have the toothed scraper in front instead of in the center. In connection with the scrapers it will be observed that the same are formed of angle iron or L-shaped in cross section', and are provided with apertures 52 on both sides of the scrapers so that either edge may be caused to engage` the earth and act as a scraping device. In order to cause these Scrapers to act properly, and to act together, the same are connected by suitable longitudinally arranged bars 53 and 54 pivotally secured to the ends of the scrapers by suitable bolts 55 and 56. The scrapers 49,50, and 51 are pivotally connected with the central bar 4 by suitable bolts 57 which are resiliently held in place by springs 58 (Fig. 2). The springs 58 are arranged between the nuts 59 and the bar 4 so as to cause the head 60 of the bolts to press one part of each of the scraper bars tightly against'bar 4. However, by the arrangement of the springs 58 each of the scraper bars are allowed a swinging or'pivotal movement to a certain extent so as to pass over various obstacles which cannot be broken up, as for instance stones. In order to lock or rigidly hold the Scrapers in any desired position, as for instance the` angle shown in Fig. 4, or the angle shown in Fig. 5, a pin 61 is provided which is adapted to extend through any of the apertures 62 and through a suitable aperture in the scraper bar 50. j This arrangement of coursecould beprovided in connection with any or all of the scraper bars without departing from the spirit of the invention. f

A seat 63 is provided, formed with supporting legs 64 and 65 bifurcated at the lower end for fitting over the edges of bars 2 and 3 of frame 1. These bifurcated portions are loosely litt-ed on the edges` just mentioned so that the seat may be moved longitudinally of the frame 1 whenever desired. By this construction andV arrangement the levers 24 at each endof themachine may be easily reached and operated so as to elevate the frame l and associated p-arts or depress thesame or cause thefr'ame 1 vto be arranged at an angle. When it is desired to transport the machine from one place to the other, both of the levers 24 are depressed so as to raise the frame 1 and associated parts, including the Scrapers. When it is desired to use the machine for smoothing purposes, one end is preferably lowered until the scraper at that end contacts with the ground, while the opposite end If desired, however,

the Scrapers will be acting` simultaneously. From-Figs. l, 4, and 5, it will be Seen that the Scrapers can be Set at any desired angle regardless of the position of the wheel so as to cause a direct scraping action or shearing action, as the machine is moved diagonally across the road or longitudinally of the road.

In connection with the machine moving diagonally across the road, it will be observed that the framework l is designed to be of an appreciable length so as to space the front and rear wheels an appreciable distance apart. This will prevent skidding or turning of the machine and cause a proper side movement.

In order to cause a proper yielding movement of the Scrapers, the bolts 55 and 56 are all provided with springs similarly to bolts 57.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent Y l. In a road smoother of the class described, a frame; a plurality of Scrapers; a bolt for each of said Scrapers for connecting the same with said frame; a nut for each of said bolts and a spring interposed between each of said nuts and said frame whereby said Scrapers are allowed a yielding, substantially pivotal movement; means connecting the outer ends of said Scrapers together for holding the same substantially parallel; and a locking member engaging said frame and one of said Scrapers for locking the Scrapers at an angle to said frame.

2. In a road smoother of the class described, a frame; a plurality of Scrapers pivotally mounted on said frame; means for connecting said Scrapers together so that the same will remain substantially parallel at all times, said frame being formed O a plurality of apertures and said Scrapers being formed with apertures therein; a locking pin adapted to be arranged in any of the apertures of said frame and engaging one of the apertures in one of the Scrapers for locking the scraper at any desired angle in respect to the frame.

3. In a road smoother of the class described, a frame, a plurality of Scrapers, a bolt for each of Said Scrapers for connecting the saine with said frame, a nut for holding said bolts in place, and a spring interposed between each of said nuts and said frame whereby Said Scrapers are allowed a yielding and substantially pivotal movement, and means connecting the outer ends of said Scrapers together for holding the same substantially parallel.

In testimony whereof I have Signed my name to. this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE E. TUCKER.

Witnesses JAMES CAPRAN, ALMmA C. VVI-IrrLooK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of IPatents, Washington, D. C. 

